SS-Unterscharführer Alois Schnaubelt

Grenadiers, pioneers, and tank crews were not the only men that held the forward most positions during the defensive battles along the Russian Front in the Fall of 1943. The Flak battery cannoniers were also in a continuous struggle with Soviet tanks that were trying to break through the German lines, held by the Panzer Division "Wiking", in order to capture the village of Modlin.

On 19 October 1943, SS-Hauptsturmführer Heinrich Grabner, leader of a heavy flak battery, was summoned to the divisional command post. SS-Standartenführer Karl Ullrich informed him of his assignment, "You will establish a very important defensive position on the outskirts of the village of Karlino along the road leading to Modlin. Your Kampfgruppe will be equipped with five 8,8-cm, three 2-cm, and three 3,7-cm cannon. Your mission; block passage. Once darkness has set in you will reconnoiter the positions for your cannon."

Under moonlight Grabner and his adjutant reached the point of convergence where he was ordered to establish his defense. Quickly, the 8,8-cm cannon were brought into position. The slogan was "operate quickly," as the enemy attack was imminent. The day began with murderous Soviet artillery fire. For several hours the cannoniers of the anti-aircraft artillery guns were unable to leave their fighting positions as the village of Karlino erupted into flames. The artillery fire was of such a horrific magnitude that the Germanic volunteers considered the ensuing Soviet tank assault as a respite. At the least, the flood of grenades and rockets had come to an end.

The Soviet attack was launched with approximately 35 tanks. The majority of the Soviet armor was comprised of medium T-34 and a few T-41 type tanks. Flanking the road across flat terrain and supported by a large numbers of infantry the Soviet tanks moved forward. Portions of the infantry rode in horse-drawn "panji"-wagons as the tanks slowly rolled forward across the front of an estimated 1 kilometer. It seemed as though the Soviet's tank-tracks would crush everything in their path.

Before the evening came to an end, SS-Hauptsturmführer Grabner summonded his crew chiefs to explain the situation. "Our only chance in stopping a concentrated attack is to open fire at the closest possible range. Allow the enemy to close within 300 meters, but no more, and then give them everything you've got." The cannoniers of the anti-aircraft artillery guns had to remain calm to prevent panic as the steamroller approached their positions. Sweat ran down their bodies and their nerves almost broke as the sound of the approaching tanks became louder and louder. 500 meters, 400 meters, 300 meters. FIRE!

Five 8,8-cm cannon and half a dozen light flak guns simultaneously erupted to create a thunderous crescendo across the battlefield. Several tanks were hit immediately causing them to halt and catch fire. The remaining tanks stopped in an effort to identify and eradicate the defensive batteries. A heavy duel quickly ensued. In the early morning light, targeting the Soviet tanks was effortless, however the well-camouflaged and half entrenched flak-cannon were difficult to spot. The impact of incoming rounds and thundering blasts from recoiling guns gave rise to a chaotic concerto of hot flying steel as fountains of shrapnel and earth spewed into the sky. Here and there, the agonizing screams of men could be heard that were hit with shrapnel and cheering gun crews after a Soviet had been hit and exploded.

The Sudetendeutscher SS-Unterscharführer Alois Schnaubelt commanded one of the 8,8-cm cannon. Exhibiting a profound sense of calmness, Schnaubelt allowed the Soviet tanks to approach his battery. His goal was to destroy a Soviet tank in record distance of no more than 80 meters. After the first shot, one Soviet was knocked out and burned as the loader jammed one projectile after another into the breech. From a concealed position, one crew member observed the fire for adjustments while another Germanic volunteer diligently brought ammunition without respite.

Littered across the battlefield lay the remains of fifteen Soviet T-34 and T-41 tanks that could not escape their fate. Schnaubelt remarked, "I think we got them all." SS-Unterscharführer Schnaubelt was credited with the destruction of 9 tanks within 25 minutes. For this act of valor on the battlefield Schaubelt was awarded the Knight's Cross on 16 November 1944.

Shortly before 1400, Grabner had successfully thwarted the entire Soviet tank assault. Even so, a serious threat remained. No sooner had the smoke cleared when Soviet infantry began to assault the unprotected flak emplacements. In close proximity to one another the Soviet infantry attacked in large numbers with no regard for their loses. Under a heavy barrage of Soviet artillery fire, Battery Grabner came under attack from waves upon waves of Soviet infantry. In the meamtime, the Soviets had succeeded in working their way through the ditches along the road to close-with the German flak emplacements that had become extremely vulnerable.

SS-Oberscharführer Schmalz led a squad of light flak into position and subjected the Soviet infantry to fragmentation fire. Fighting from an unconcealed position he drew Soviet fire to him. Albeit severally wounded, to include several other members of the gun crew, they continued to hold the enemy at bay until nightfall.

Under the cover of darkness and after a successful 24-hour defensive battle, SS-Hauptsturmführer Grabner withdrew his flak cannon. A 12-ton prime mover slowly pulled his cannon out of the emplacement as they returned to the "Wiking" Division command post. After laying eyes on his battery chief, SS-Standartenführer Ullrich yelled, "What? You are still alive!? The front line has already moved 8 kilometers to the west! I never thought you would make it out alive!"

At he end of October 1944, the third phase of the Battle for Warsaw had come to an end. Despite the massive Soviet infantry attacks that were supported by aircraft, artillery, Stalin-organs, and tanks, the Soviets did not succeed in breaking through the German defensive lines. While the Wiking Division had survived the attacks, the units of the Germanic volunteers were at the end of their strength as they continued to fight additional defensive battles before Modlin until the end of 1944.

Freely Translated by Dieter Stenger from "Die SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking", by Jean Mabire.

Copyright Stenger Historica 2003